A Russian chess champion faces three years in prison for attempting to poison her opponent during the Dagestan Chess Championship, held in Makhachkala in early August.

Security camera footage shows 40-year-old Amina Abakarova entering the room where the games were to be held on August 2nd, before they began. She is seen looking at some lists on a counter (which probably indicated where her opponent would sit) and, once she is sure the coast is clear, she approaches one of the already set-up chessboards.

After looking around to ensure no one among the few people in the room is watching her, she takes something out of her bag. She then appears to pour a substance on the table and the chess pieces before leaving.

A Dagestan chess player tried to poison her opponent with mercury during competitions

The champion of the North Caucasus Federal District in chess Amina Abakarova tried to poison her opponent Umayganat Osmanova right during the competitions, which took place on August 2 in… pic.twitter.com/l9RmMg6xYF

— Sota News (@sotanews) August 7, 2024

According to international media, Abakarova’s target was 30-year-old Umaigannar Osmanova, who later sat at the affected chessboard and experienced severe discomfort during the game.

Abakarova’s actions were revealed after a tournament judge filed a complaint with the police regarding Osmanova’s unusual illness, leading to a review of the security cameras.

Abakarova later admitted to authorities that she had broken a thermometer on Osmanova’s chessboard and spilled mercury on it. She reportedly tried to justify her actions by saying that Osmanova had started their feud by badmouthing her and her family at a previous tournament.

Amina Abakarova

“I am shocked by what happened. I cannot understand the motives that drove such an experienced chess player as Abakarova to commit this act,” said Dagestan’s Minister of Sports, Sazhida Sazhindova. “Her actions could have had a tragic outcome, threatening the lives of all the competitors, including herself.”

Abakarova had won last year’s Caucasus Regional Chess Championship and works as a chess coach at a school in Makhachkala.